In this episode of the TCO Flycast, we sit down with guide, author, and fly designer Jake Villwock to talk smallmouth bass. From reading conditions in unpredictable spring weather to building flies that solve real problems on the water, Jake breaks down the mindset and tactics behind consistently finding fish.We dig into Jake’s background from commercial fishing roots to Alaska, and how that path led to building Relentless Fly Fishing and writing Smallmouth Bass Flies: Top to Bottom. This one covers everything from fly design and seasonal strategy to why observation beats any “perfect plan.”If you want to better understand how smallmouth actually feed and how to adapt on the water, this is a must-listen.Topics include:Early season smallmouth patterns and water tempsReading fish behavior vs sticking to a planPre-spawn movement and aggressive feeding windowsJake’s path from Alaska to guiding in PABuilding Relentless Fly FishingFly tying progression and problem-solving designThe story behind the Roamer and other patternsWriting Smallmouth Bass Flies: Top to BottomBridging the gap between trout and bass fishingTopwater, subsurface, and bottom presentationsTravel, fly fishing culture, and hosted tripsJake's New Book - Favorite Flies for Smallmouth Bass: 50 Flies from Local Experts:https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/products/favorite-flies-for-smallmouth-bass-50-flies-from-local-experts Smallmouth Bass Flies Top To Bottom: https://www.tcoflyfishing.com/products/smallmouth-bass-flies-top-to-bottomBook a Guide Trip with Relentless: https://www.relentlessflyfishing.com/Chapters: